Malignant biliary obstruction: Percutaneous transhepatic drainage and stenting

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and stenting refers to procedures performed to provide relief from tumor obstruction of the bile duct under image/X-ray guidance, without the need for open surgery or endoscopy. 

Under local anaesthesia and sedation, in a sterile environment, a very thin needle is advanced through the skin into the liver using Ultrasound and/or X-ray guidance. The bile duct narrowed/obstructed is crossed is with the use of medical devices and a drainage tube is inserted to drain the bile and relieve obstruction. 

 

Subsequently, in patients with advanced/end-stage cancer, a metallic stent is inserted to keep the narrowing open for a longer duration. After the stent insertion, the drainage tube/catheter can be removed so that nothing is hanging outside your body.